Foodbank usage in Warrington has tripled in the last five years

The number of parcels handed out in the last year was almost triple the number from five years ago, and more than double last year’s total.

Figures from the Trussell Trust show that, in the year running from March last year to this year, 20,748 food parcels were handed out in Warrington, and of these, 7,402 were given to children.

Five years ago, in the year ending March 2019, 7,153 food parcels were given out in total.

This means that more children received food parcels in the past year than the total number given to all recipients in 2018/19.

The Trussell Trust says the rise is a product of problems with the UK's welfare system – not just the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

The charity, the country's leading operator of food banks, distributes millions of food parcels to those in need every year – and the number has risen again this year.

Across the UK, a total of 2,986,203 emergency food parcels were given out between April 2022 and March this year – up 37 per cent on the year before.

These figures cover parcels handed out by the Trussell Trust itself, but they do not include emergency food supplies provided by other charities and organisations.

David McDonald, CEO of Warrington Foodbank, said: “Gone are the days when foodbank users were exclusively those waiting for their Universal Credit Payments coming in.

"Our users have one job, two jobs... but their outgoings are more than their income because there has been no pay increase."

In a discussion with David, he confirmed the numbers provided by the Trussell Trust, saying that the number of children requiring food parcels in March of last year was 318, while in March of this year it was 807.

He also went on to say that until the Government makes changes to Universal Credit, nothing will change.

Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North said: “This is a damning indictment of thirteen years of Tory government.

"The Prime Minister continues to claim that the economy is doing well, but these figures are stark and cannot be ignored.

"The huge increases in food bank need year on year are just another reminder of the terrible cost of living pressures that people are facing.

"I thank everyone that donates and keeps these services running, but it reaffirms my commitment to do everything I can in parliament to push for more support for people who truly need it.”

The figures form part of a wider national picture, in which foodbank usage across the country has increased massively.

Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, called the statistics 'extremely concerning'.

She said: "The continued increase in parcel numbers over the last five years indicates that it is ongoing low levels of income and a social security system that isn’t fit for purpose that are forcing more people to need food banks, rather than just the recent cost of living crisis or the Covid-19 pandemic."

“Food banks were set up to provide short-term support to people in an emergency.

"They are not a lasting solution to hunger and poverty, and more than three quarters of the UK population agree with us that they should not need to exist," she added.